In this episode of Tigers Litterbox, we say goodbye to Justin Verlander after an emotional final start in a Tigers uniform. Verlander went out in fitting fashion, turning in a strong performance and giving Detroit fans one more reminder of what made him one of the defining pitchers of his generation.

From there, we zoom out and look back at the Tigers’ season as a whole — a year filled with promise, frustration, encouraging developments and plenty of “what ifs.” We break down where the team succeeded, where things fell short, and which players took meaningful steps forward versus those who failed to meet expectations.

We also discuss what this season revealed about the Tigers’ current roster, the areas that still need to improve, and what Detroit can take away from a season that ultimately slipped away.

The Detroit Tigers are officially eliminated from postseason contention, bringing the playoff chase to an end with just a handful of games remaining. In this episode, we recap the Tigers’ recent trip to Chicago to face the White Sox, look back at where things went wrong down the stretch, and discuss what—if anything—is still worth watching as Detroit plays out the final days of the season.

We also look ahead to what should be an emotional moment for Tigers fans: Justin Verlander’s upcoming farewell start. We reflect on Verlander’s place in Tigers history, what he has meant to the franchise and its fans, and why this final appearance could provide one last memorable moment in an otherwise disappointing finish to the season.

The Detroit Tigers are running out of time. After slipping further back in the standings, the playoff dream is still alive mathematically—but the margin for error has all but disappeared.

On this episode of Litterbox, we break down how the Tigers got here, what has gone wrong during this late-season slide, and whether there’s still any realistic path back into the race. With the postseason becoming more of a long shot, is it time to shift the focus toward the future and let the kids play?

We discuss which young players deserve an extended look down the stretch, what the Tigers can learn over the final weeks of the season, and how those evaluations could shape the roster heading into 2027.